Introduction:

Director: Mikael Hafstrom.

Starring: John Cusack, Samuel Jackson,
Jasmine Jessica Anthony, Mary McCormack.

Details: US / 94mins (15A).



John Cusack is always worth a look, isn't he? He's one of those actors that
automatically gets you onside the second he steps onscreen. Although Runaway
Jury, Identity and Max saw Cusack try something different, he has for the
most part played it safe - but 1408 sees Cusack take a massive leap out of
his comfort zone and tackle something that tests his acting and physical
capabilities to the limits. In an adaptation of Stephen King's short story,
Cusack plays Mike Enslin, a moderately successful writer who specialises in
debunking paranormal activities. He books into the Dolphin Hotel whose room
1408 has seen a total of 56 deaths and, according to manager Olin (Jackson),
no one has ever lasted more than an hour. Enslin scoffs, but is soon
subjected to relentless psychological terror. Mix Barton Fink with The
Twilight Zone and you've got 1408, a horror whose enjoyment will entirely
rely on your mood when watching: it could be intriguing or downright
ridiculous. Cusack, for the most part the only actor on show, delivers
another sound performance. Even though the knowing nods to old school horror
like Vincent Price and Peter Lorre ("Don't go up there!") are fun and Cusack
knows how silly it is (you can see it on his face), the story deserved a
darker adaptation. It does have a great set-up and the first hour really has
you in its grip, but they didn't know how to finish it and 1408 ends up in
no-man's land.